The Nia Collective Book Club
We've always believed that stories are the lifeblood of our community. They are the threads that connect us to our past, help us understand our present, and allow us to dream of a collective future. It is with this profound belief in the power of narrative that we are overjoyed to announce the official launch of The Nia Collective Book Club!
Our mission is simple but vital: to create an inclusivework of Black authors. Th deeplyis is more th passionatelyan just a reading list; it's an contemporary and classicinvitation to connect, to learn, and t another reading list; it's a commitment to connectrst ection: "The Vanishing Hal magicBrit Bennett
For our inaugural book club picks, we could think of no better title than the magnificent, bestselling novel, "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett.
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Synopsis (Spoiler-Free): The novel tells the story of the Vignes twin sisters, inseparable as children, who grow up in a small, southern Black community. After running away from home at age sixteen, their lives diverge dramatically. Years later, one sister lives with her Black daughter in the same town she once tried to escape, while the other secretly passes as white, her white husband and daughter knowing nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined.
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Why We Chose It: This book resonates deeply with the values of The Nia Collective. It is a profound exploration of identity, family, heritage, and the secrets that shape our lives. Bennett's storytelling is both epic and intimate, asking powerful questions about who we are and what we owe to our past.
How to Participate
Joining the conversation is easy!
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Get the Book: We encourage you to purchase a copy from your favorite independent, Black-owned bookstore. Supporting indie bookshops is a wonderful way to support our literary community.
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Join the Discussion: We will be hosting a discussion about the book right here on our blog and on our social media channels on the last Thursday of October. Mark your calendars!
Discussion Questions to Get You Started
As you read, consider these questions to spark your thoughts. We'll be diving into them and more during our community discussion.
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The novel explores the idea of identity as both an inheritance and a choice. How do the twins, Desiree and Stella, navigate this throughout their lives?
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What does the town of Mallard, with its specific obsession with skin color, say about the larger constructs of race in America?
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How do the secrets kept by one generation impact the lives and identities of the next generation in the book?
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Did you feel empathy for Stella's decision to pass as white? Why or why not?
Conclusion
We are so excited to embark on this literary journey with you. The Nia Collective has always been about more than just beautiful objects; it's about the stories and the community we build together. This book club is a new and exciting chapter in that story.
Grab your copy, brew some tea in your favorite mug, and let's get reading! We can't wait to hear your thoughts.